site.btaEnergy Minister Malinov Meets with US Counterparts in Bucharest

Caretaker Minister of Energy Vladimir Malinov met in Bucharest with US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and her Assistant Secretary for International Affairs Andrew Light. The Bulgarian Minister briefed Granholm on the progress of work to diversify the energy sector in Bulgaria, including joint projects in the nuclear energy sector, the Ministry of Energy said Thursday. The bilateral meetings were held within the framework of the fifth ministerial meeting of the Partnership for Transatlantic Energy and Climate Cooperation (P-TECC). 

"The implementation of the joint projects for Bulgaria and the USA in the field of nuclear energy is of key importance for ensuring energy security in the region," was the position expressed by Minister Malinov. 

The Bulgarian government representative also stressed the benefits of the cooperation between Bulgaria and the US in the implementation of the alternative nuclear fuel produced by the US company Westinghouse in unit 5 of Kozloduy NPP. 

"For the first time in its 50-year history, the Bulgarian nuclear power plant operates with alternative fuel, which contributes to our energy security," Minister Malinov said. 

The strategic importance of the US-backed Vertical Gas Corridor initiative was also noted. The aim of the project is to provide access to alternative LNG supplies for the South East Europe region.    

Meetings between experts from the US and Bulgaria continue based on the intergovernmental agreement between Bulgaria and the US for cooperation in the construction of new nuclear power capacity at the Kozloduy NPP site and Bulgaria's civil nuclear programme. 

"We count on the talks on the financing of the new nuclear power project by EXIM Bank, as well as the establishment of a consortium between the US company Westinghouse and the South Korean Hyundai Engineering and Construction (Hyundai E&C) to be advanced as soon as possible, the Bulgarian caretaker minister said. 

According to him, Bulgaria is intensively exploring the development of small modular reactors as an option for complementary energy capacities that would contribute to ensuring the flexibility of the energy system. 

Bulgaria is also in touch with the US Trade and Development Agency on cooperation on the topic of small modular reactors, Minister Malinov informed Assistant Secretary Light.  

Later, Malinov also held talks with European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson. They discussed the functioning of the European single market as a guarantee and a necessary condition for security of supply and price predictability for end users. 

In the framework of the fifth ministerial meeting on the initiative on Wednesday, Minister Malinov discussed the energy support provided to Ukraine. He highlighted the leading importance of regional cooperation and assistance from the EU and the US to help Kiyv tackle the challenges facing the country. 

"That is why Bulgaria is working hard at the ENTSO-E level in the European Union to achieve solidarity and support not only in the upcoming winter season, but also in the long term," he told the forum. Minister Malinov also stressed the efforts to increase the capacity of the transmission system to ensure energy security. 

The need for full diversification of fossil fuels originating in Russia for EU and Energy Community countries was another focus of Minister Malinov's speech at the forum.

The Bulgarian Energy Minister held a bilateral meeting with Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto. Malinov made a commitment for Bulgaria to assist Hungary in the process of identifying possible infrastructure for diversification of crude oil supply, as Bulgaria currently has no infrastructure for crude oil transmission to neighbouring and other markets. 

P-TECC is a distinct part of the Three Seas Initiative. Its main objectives are related to assisting the countries of South-Eastern Europe in improving energy security and diversifying energy sources through investments in infrastructure, accelerating interconnection and compatibility of electricity grids. These issues are also part of Bulgaria's priorities in the energy sector.